To my Leader of the Band

by Lorelei Cayabyab Yago on Wednesday, June 15, 2011 at 10:37a

For some reasons I am reminded of my father whenever I hear this song. It could be that I am in total admiration of the man who has shaped my beliefs and principles in life together with my mother. I may have had my twists and turns in life...but the very foundation and the rock-hard principles that I have witnessed in them are still very much in me. As the song goes...my life has been a poor attempt to imitate the man, I am just a living legacy to the leader of the band.  Thank you Pa for spoiling me yet I knew my boundaries, thank you for the discipline which I learned  through examples and not through corporal punishment which was alien in my growing up years. Thank you for believing in my choices and listening to me justify my reasons when you said "no". Thank you for the freedom...and the blood that runs in my veins. I am a  Cayabyab....and I  am proud to be one.  I love you forever Pa. ----your little miss universe who used to sit on your lap and sleep <3

Leader Of The Band lyrics                                         
Songwriters: Fogelberg, D;


An only child alone and wild
A cabinet maker's son
His hands were meant for different work
And his heart was known to none
He left his home and went his lone
And solitary way
And he gave to me
A gift I know I never can repay

A quiet man of music
Denied a simpler fate
He tried to be a soldier once
But his music wouldn't wait
He earned his love through discipline
A thundering, velvet hand
His gentle means of sculpting souls
Took me years to understand

The leader of the band is tired
And his eyes are growing old
But his blood runs through my instrument
And his song is in my soul
My life has been a poor attempt
To imitate the man
I'm just a living legacy
To the leader of the band

My brothers' lives were different
For they heard another call
One went to Chicago
And the other to St. Paul
And I'm in Colorado
When I'm not in some hotel
Living out this life I've chose
And come to know so well

I thank you for the music
And your stories of the road
I thank you for the freedom
When it came my time to go
I thank you for the kindness
And the times when you got tough
And, papa, I don't think
I said, "I love you" near enough

The leader of the band is tired
And his eyes are growing old
But his blood runs through my instrument
And his song is in my soul
My life has been a poor attempt
To imitate the man
I'm just a living legacy
To the leader of the band
I am the living legacy
To the leader of the band

He was a fearless and daring man. Discipline was his game. If he said "no" it's a final "no"...well, unless you were brave enough to be able to justify your reasons....which better be good. He was feared by many...but at home he was my "teddy bear"....and I was his "little miss universe". He didn't like anyone stepping on his shoes or wrinkling his clothes...but I was always welcome to sit and sleep on his lap even in front of his constituents.